This page was exported from The Auroran [ http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran ] Export date:Thu Mar 28 20:14:39 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Green candidate makes early exit from Newmarket-Aurora debate --------------------------------------------------- By Brock Weir It was a debate to remember last week as Newmarket-Aurora Green Party candidate Vanessa Long made an early exit in the name of “democracy” and leadership. Ms. Long's premature departure was in protest of a decision by debate hosts the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, to exclude Progressive Canadian candidate Dorian Baxter from the proceedings citing support at the ballot box the last time around. “Leadership is not about doing what is convenient or uncomfortable, but what is right,” said Ms. Long in her opening remarks which, as it turned out, were also her closing. “Tonight, there is a voice missing in this debate because of a policy passed by the Chamber board, one that ensures no independent or small party candidate will ever be heard at these Provincial or Federal debates again, and that is not right. It is anti-democratic and we either value democracy, or we don't. We shouldn't tolerate it, but we do because it is political to do so. It is political to take the easy route and bow to pressure. “Tonight, I wanted to tell you about the Green Party's plan to eradicate poverty and bring more affordable housing to York Region. I wanted to tell you about our national seniors' strategy and our plan for youth employment. I believe in a democratic Canada, one that is strong and free, a Canada that protects those who are oppressed and those who need help. I believe it is the job of the powerful to give voice to the powerless, not to grind them down further. “If you are looking for leadership, please don't look to the politicians who run privileged parties and care about democracy and then cave on it at the first bit of pressure. You can count on my voice. The politicians, not so much. That is the difference between a real leader and a pretender. It isn't comfortable or convenient, but if I don't follow my values when it matters, then I am not a leader I would like to follow.” With that dramatic opening, Ms. Long apologised to anyone in the audience who came “hoping to hear a democratic debate” and invited the audience and members of the media to follow her to the Newmarket branch of the Royal Canadian Legion for a debate with Mr. Baxter. Few people left to join her. But, the Newmarket Chamber's debate – and the remaining candidates – soldiered on, including NDP candidate Yvonne Kelly who said she too struggled with the dilemma that faced Ms. Long. She continued on stage with “mixed emotions”, she said. “I too spoke about my feelings in terms of eliminating anyone who wants to speak out at the community level and I weighed [by decision] based on supporting those who have put their support behind me in the past year. I urge the chamber to revisit some of the rules that they have brought in, especially that one, for next year. “[The Legacy] of the NDP was built on fairness and inclusiveness and, more importantly, the belief that together we can do more. It was these values that informed the NDP and Tommy Douglas as the driver of universal healthcare and it was these values that also enabled the party to stand up to the enormous pushback and resistance they faced over healthcare by both the Conservative and the Liberal parties over the last 60 years. This legacy continues to shape our policies.” Unlike the Conservatives or Liberals, the NDP can't sit back and “accept” things like CEOs seeing their wages “multiply 200 times over.” “Our plan is to invest in health care, home care, seniors, pensions and education,” said Ms. Kelly. “It will require large corporations to pay their fair share of taxes, something that 80 per cent of Canadians are in agreement with the NDP on. The residents of Newmarket-Aurora deserve better. I know that most of you do not belong to the top 1 per cent of the income bracket here in Canada. Successive Liberal and Conservative governments have cut our public services and income security measures and have downloaded the costs to the municipalities and it is crippling our economies. The NDP will deliver on its promises to invest in families and communities and provide a better quality of life for all Canadians by asking those who have more to pay their fair share.” --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- Excerpt: Vanessa Long leaves debate, hosted by Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, in solidarity with Progressive Canadian candidate Dorian Baxter. --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2015-10-14 19:59:34 Post date GMT: 2015-10-14 23:59:34 Post modified date: 2015-10-21 16:34:19 Post modified date GMT: 2015-10-21 20:34:19 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com